D Bebop melodic minor

Melodic minor with a passing raised 5th; the eighth note evens out lines over minor chords.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
D Bebop melodic minor
Family
Exotic scales
Note count
8
Step formula
W – H – W – W – H – H – W – H
Numeric formula
0-2-1-2-2-1-1-2-1

Notes & degrees

1Droot
2Emajor 2nd
b3Fminor 3rd
4Gperfect 4th
5Aperfect 5th
#5A#aug 5th
6Bmajor 6th
7C#major 7th

Construction

Overview
Melodic minor with a passing raised 5th; the eighth note evens out lines over minor chords.
Application in music
Passing #5 supplies an eighth degree for even bebop lines over minor and minor-major chords.
Interval formula
D
W
E
H
F
W
G
W
A
H
A#
H
B
W
C#

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDpoint of resttonic
IIIFdefines modal qualitythird
VAsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIC#C#
IDD
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIFF
IVGG
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IDD
IIEE
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how D Bebop melodic minor looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
2 sharps (F#, C#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions